Did It Work?
I've been away for a while. Based on the lack of comments, no one noticed. I'm pleased that my secret strategy of blog neglect may have helped return this blog to its original audience of 0.
To test my theory that no one is still checking Delicious Animals, today we have a new contest. Answer the question below in the comments section and win a fabulous prize. There is absolutely one correct answer and it has nothing to do with customer service. First correct answer by close of business Friday gets a free lunch at the winner's choice of location in mid-town Manhattan (Monday-Friday) or lower Westchester County (Saturday). Of course it's never all good news -- I'll be joining you for lunch.
Why do quick-serve restaurants and delis offer a free meal if they fail to provide you with a receipt for your purchase?
11 Comments:
I have no answer to this question, as I was wondering the same thing yesterday at the mall when I saw a similar sign at the food court. I'm curious what the answer is, you do know, right? I mean the contest wouldn't make sense unless you knew the answer. Is this like that game where you make up fake answers and see if anyone can guess the real answer?
as much as i love making up fake answers, there is one -- and only one -- correct answer. it's the type of question/answer that is not intuitive but glaringly obvious when you figure it out.
Those places always provide receipts. Therefore if they didn't provide you a receipt, then you obviously didn't have to pay for it and your meal was free.
I'm assuming that my plane ticket is included in lunch.
mike - since you don't have a receipt for the plane ticket it was obviously paid for by someone else and therefore included.
You and Mike need to take this elsewhere...you're creeping me out. But, I'll take his dinner. He owes me anyway.
I don't think I've ever been kicked out of a neighborhood by someone not from that neighborhood.
fewer than thirty six hours to go and no correct answers. i may have to buy myself lunch (and then eat it at my desk like every other day).
Well ok...I was trying not to be a Daniel hog...but since I would enjoy any meal with you more than anyone else, because of course I love you more than anyone else...I will answer your question.
These places do this so that employees will not charge you one thing and then pocket the difference. It keeps employees honest with the till.
In a pleasant development for the theme of this post, the Freakonomics blog today cites Cornell economist Robert Frank to answer the question under consideration. As much as I would like to claim credit for influencing world-class authors, I'm fairly certain neither Levitt or Dubner reads Delicious Animals so this should serve as independent proof of the correct response.
The definitive answer is that restaurant owners are shifting some of the burden for monitoring employee behavior in a cash business to their customers. As Denise correctly pointed out, provision of a receipt is a mechanism for reducing shrinkage at the register.
Denise's punishment, er prize, will be provided in accordance with globally recognized contest terms.
Yes, that makes perfect sense. I can see it now.
Uhhh, I did not receive my prize, sir. Yet, I believe I am paying taxes on it even as we speak.
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